Device, system, and method for providing connection elements

ABSTRACT

A device provides connection elements such as rivets or the like from a storage unit via at least one outlet for at least one connection element application, and a connection element is provided at an inlet by a further device for providing connection elements, to pass through to the outlet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also described inGerman Patent Application DE 10 2010 053 221.5 filed on Dec. 3, 2010.This German Patent Application, whose subject matter is incorporatedhere by reference, provides the basis for a claim of priority ofinvention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device for providing connection elements,such as rivet elements or the like, a system composed of at least twodevices for providing connection elements, and a method for operatingsuch a system.

Rivet connections have played an important role for many years in theaviation industry in particular. The automation of riveting applicationsis becoming increasingly significant since aircraft components arebecoming increasingly larger.

In addition to carrying out riveting applications using rivet tools,providing rivet elements specifically and rapidly via related motioncontrol poses a particular challenge to system manufacturers.

A known device for providing rivets (EP 1 531 966 B1) is equipped with arivet storage unit designed as a cartridge cabinet comprising a numberof rivet cartridges stacked one above the other. Using a transfercarriage which can be moved along the rivet cartridges, rivet elementsare transferred from the particular rivet cartridge that has arrived toa rivet outlet.

The disadvantage of the known device for providing rivets is the factthat the storage capacity thereof is limited by the maximum stackingheight of the rivet cartridges. Expanding the rivet storage unitinvolves considerable design complexity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem addressed by the invention is that of designing anddeveloping the known device for providing connection elements such thatthe total storage capacity available is increased using simple designmeans.

The fundamental idea is that the total available storage capacity forconnection elements, such as rivet elements and the like can beincreased by connecting the device for providing rivets with at leastone more device for providing rivets. The rivet elements requested froma rivet cartridge of one device for providing rivets are passed throughthe at least one downstream device for providing rivets.

The total available storage capacity can be increased to a nearlyunlimited extent in the proposed manner using simple design means. Tothis end, it is specifically provided that the device for providingrivets comprise at least one rivet inlet in addition to the at least onerivet outlet. According to the invention, the system is designed suchthat a rivet element provided at a rivet inlet can be passed through toa rivet outlet.

In the preferred embodiment the transfer carriages of the device forproviding rivets are used to pass the rivet elements through. Thisdouble use of the transfer carriage results in a solution that iscompact and structurally relatively simple.

According to a second teaching, which is significant in and of itself, asystem composed of at least two devices for providing rivets, which isconnected in series in the manner described above, is claimed. Referenceis made to the explanations of the device for providing rivets accordingto the invention.

According to a third teaching, which is also significant in and ofitself, a method for operating the above-described system of at leasttwo devices for providing rivets is claimed. Reference is also made hereto the explanations of the device for providing rivets according to theinvention.

The invention is explained below in greater detail with reference to adrawing that depicts only one embodiment. In the drawing:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a device for providing rivets according to the invention,in a perspective view at a slant from the front,

FIG. 2 shows two serially connected devices for providing rivetsaccording to FIG. 1 during operation with one schematically depictedrivet tool, both in a side view,

FIG. 3 shows the cartridge locks of the device for providing rivetsaccording to FIG. 1 a) in the locked state and b) in the unlocked state,both in a perspective view,

FIG. 4 shows a central supporting plate of the device for providingrivets according to FIG. 1 with transfer carriage installed, in aperspective view,

FIG. 5 shows the rivet control of the transfer carriage according toFIG. 4, in a perspective view,

FIG. 6 shows the rivet control according to FIG. 5 in a sectional viewalong section line VI-VI a) in the pass-through position and b) in theblocking position,

FIG. 7 shows the control shaft of the rivet control according to FIG. 5,in a perspective view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

When used as intended, connection elements, such as rivet elements 1 andthe like stored in the device for providing rivets R are preferablytransferred to a rivet control, are received by the rivet control, andare transported further to the particular rivet application.

The device for providing rivets R is preferably equipped with anentirely special rivet control. An explanation of the preferred designthereof will now be presented in the sense of a complete depiction.

The rivet control serves very generally as the motion control of rivetelements 1 or the like. The motion control of rivet elements 1 comprisesactive driving of rivet elements 1 and passive blocking or release ofrivet elements 1. In the context of an above-described device forproviding rivets R, the rivet control preferably has the function ofreceiving and forwarding rivet elements 1, as will be shown. The term“motion control” therefore also has broad meaning.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a preferred rivet control which is used here andpreferably in the device for providing rivets R depicted in FIGS. 1 to4. The rivet control is basically modular and comprises at least onerivet control unit 2, i.e. a total of six rivet control units 2 in thiscase. The design of a rivet control unit 2 is shown in the depictionsaccording to FIG. 6. For simplicity, only one rivet control unit 2 isdiscussed in the following. All embodiments of this rivet control unit 2apply for all further rivet control units 2 of the rivet control.

In the installed state, the rivet control is connected into the rivetmaterial flow. To this end, each rivet control unit 2 is equipped with arivet channel 3 through which particular rivet elements 1 can be pushed.

The transport of rivet elements 1 takes place here and preferably via afluid flow which is introduced into the particular section of rivetchannel 3. In the simplest case, the fluid is air.

The rivet channel 3 comprises an inlet section 3 a for receiving rivetelements 1, and an outlet section 3 b. Rivet elements 1 therefore travelin conveyance direction 4 from inlet section 3 a to outlet section 3 band, from there, to the particular rivet application.

Rivet control unit 2 of the rivet control according to the inventioncomprises a control shaft 5 which extends through rivet channel 3 in acontrol region 6 between inlet section 3 a and outlet section 3 b.Basically, control shaft 5 can extend through only a portion of rivetchannel 3. Here, and preferably, rivet channel 3 is extended through inentirety, preferably substantially transversely to rivet channellongitudinal axis 7.

Finally, control shaft 5 functions here in the manner of a shutoffvalve. Accordingly, control shaft 5 provides a connection section 8between inlet section 3 a and outlet section 3 b, which is open forrivet elements 1 and fluid in the pass-through position depicted in FIG.6 a. In contrast, FIG. 6 b shows that control shaft 5, in a blockingposition, substantially blocks the passage of rivet elements 1 and/orfluid between inlet section 3 a and outlet section 3 b.

To attain the pass-through position and the blocking position in regardto design, it is provided that control shaft 5 has a rivet channelpass-through bore 9 depicted in FIG. 6, the cross section of whichsubstantially corresponds to the cross section of rivet channel 3 ininlet section 3 a and/or in outlet section 3 b. Depending on theposition of control shaft 5, rivet channel pass-through bore 9 providesabove-described connection section 8 between inlet section 3 a andoutlet section 3 b of rivet channel 3, or rivet channel pass-throughbore 9 blocks the passage of rivet elements 1 and/or fluid between inletsection 3 a and outlet section 3 b.

The function of rivet control unit 2 is not limited to the pure functionof a shutoff valve, however. Instead, rivet control unit 2 comprises atransfer conveyor device 10 which serves to convey a rivet element 1from inlet section 3 a into outlet section 3 b using a transfer fluidflow 11 (FIG. 6 a). To this end, transfer conveyance device 10 comprisesa plurality of fluid channels 12 which communicate with inlet section 3a of rivet channel 3 and can be created via transfer fluid flow 11. Tothis end, fluid channels 12 are coupled to a corresponding fluid supply12 a. The direction of transfer fluid flow 11 is determined by theorientation of fluid channels 12, which is shown in the depictionaccording to FIG. 6.

It has been shown that, in combination with conical opening 13 of inletsection 3 a, transfer fluid flow 11 creates an underpressure in theregion of conical opening 13 in the manner of the Venturi effect,thereby suctioning in rivet element 1 located in front of opening 13.

A certain fluid volumetric flow rate must be ensured to transport rivetelements 1 effectively. To this end, transfer conveyance device 10comprises at least one ventilation opening 14 in the region of controlshaft 5, via which at least a portion of transfer fluid flow 11 flowsout. In a variant that is structurally particularly simple, controlshaft 5 comprises a number of ventilation grooves 14 which lead into anoutlet opening 9 a of rivet channel pass-through bore 9 (FIG. 6, 7).

Furthermore, rivet control unit 2 is equipped with a transportconveyance device 15 for the further transport of a rivet element 1 fromoutlet section 3 b to the rivet application using a transport fluid flow16. Rivet element 1 is transported in the configuration shown in FIG. 6b).

In regard to fluid flow, control shaft 5 can provide a different seal inthe blocking position, as indicated above. Here, and preferably, controlshaft 5 is equipped with a sealing surface 18 which serves as a sealwith respect to housing 19 of rivet control unit 2.

FIG. 7 shows that, in the embodiment that is depicted and preferred, aplurality of control shafts 5 have been combined to form one controlshaft 21. This accounts for the fact that, in this case, at least twoadjacently disposed rivet control units 2, specifically a total of sixadjacently disposed rivet control units 2 are provided, wherein controlshafts 5 of rivet control units 2 are each provided by an axial sectionof common control shaft 21.

The device for providing rivets R according to the invention, which isdepicted in FIGS. 1 to 4, is now equipped preferably with a rivetcontrol described above.

As explained above, the device for providing rivets R serves to providerivet elements 1 or the like for at least one rivet application. Asindicated in FIG. 2, the rivet application is performed by an automatedrivet tool N. FIG. 2 also shows that two devices for providing rivets Rare connected in series, as described below.

The device for providing rivets R comprises a rivet storage unit 24 inwhich preferably different rivet elements 1 can be stored. The devicefor providing rivets R also comprises at least one rivet outlet 25, i.e.a total of 6 rivet outlets 25 in this case.

In this case, the rivet storage unit 25 is equipped, in the manner of acartridge cabinet, with at least two stacked rivet cartridges 26 whichare replaceable, in particular, each of which comprises at least oneoutput flange 27 or the like for dispensing rivet elements 1. Outputflange 27 of rivet cartridge 26 can have different configurations. Inthis case, and preferably, output flange 27 is tubular, as shown in thedepiction in FIG. 3 a).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a transfer carriage 28 isprovided, which comprises an above-described rivet control comprising aplurality of rivet control units 2 in this case and preferably. Rivetcontrol units 2 are designed to accommodate different rivet elements 1,thereby ensuring that the appropriate rivet control unit 2 is useddepending on which rivet element 1 should be transferred. Transfercarriage 28 is disposed on a central supporting plate, as shown in FIG.4.

In order to orient the appropriate rivet control unit 2 to theparticular desired rivet cartridge 26, transfer carriage 28 is movablealong rivet cartridge 26 in stacking direction 29 thereof. A rivetcontrol unit 2 of the rivet control can therefore be oriented toward arivet cartridge 26 to transfer a rivet element 1 from particular rivetcartridge 26 to particular rivet control unit 2.

Two positions of transfer carriage 28 are shown in FIG. 2. Outputsections 3 b of rivet control units 2 are connected to above-describedrivet outlets 25. Furthermore, each rivet control unit 2 comprises aninput flange 30 assigned to input section 3 a of rivet channel 3 toreceive rivet elements 1, wherein output flange 27 on the rivetcartridge side and input flange 30 on the rivet control side areseparated by a gap when a rivet element 1 is transferred.

A form-fit connection of any type therefore does not occur between thetwo flanges 27, 30. FIG. 4 shows, in the detailed depiction at thebottom, how output flange 27 on the rivet cartridge side is positionedrelative to the rivet control and input flanges 30 located there. Due tothe fact that a gap is always present between output flanges 27 on therivet cartridge side and input flanges 30 on the rivet control side, itis sufficient to move transfer carriage 28 and the rivet control overallwith only one degree of freedom. To ensure flawless transfer, it hasproven advantageous for the gap to lie in a range between approximately0.2 mm and approximately 0.6 mm. A gap width of approximately 0.4 mm isparticularly preferred in this case.

It has already been mentioned that different rivet cartridges 26preferably store rivet elements 1 having different dimensions, at leastin part, wherein transfer carriage 28 therefore comprises a plurality ofrivet control units 2 adapted to the different dimensions. Theadaptation of rivet control units 2 mainly relates to the diameter ofrivet channel 3 and the related connectors, as shown in the detaileddepiction at the top in FIG. 4, for instance.

A transfer of a rivet element 1 from a rivet cartridge 26 is explainedin the following as an example.

First, transfer carriage 28 orients one of the rivet control units 2toward the desired rivet cartridge 26, and so the input flange 30 on therivet control side is centered on output flange 27 on the rivetcartridge side. A separating device (not depicted) provided in rivetcartridge 26 then releases a single rivet element 1 which passes throughthe gap between the two flanges 27, 30 and is received by input section3 a of rivet control unit 2. To this end, transfer conveyance device 10is activated in a timely manner, and so rivet element 1 is drawn intoinput section 3 a via the above-mentioned Venturi effect, and is thenconveyed into output section 3 b via transfer fluid flow 11. Controlshaft 21, which has been situated in the pass-through position untilnow, is then transferred to the blocking position (transition from FIG.6 a to FIG. 6 b). Finally, transport conveyance device 15 is activated,and so rivet element 1 is conveyed further via the build-up of apressure wave via fluid channel through bore 17 to rivet tool N via tubeline 20.

A decisive aspect of the teaching according to the invention is the factthat the device for providing rivets R is designed such that it can beconnected in series to a further device for providing rivets R. Thisfurther aspect does not require that a transfer carriage 28 be provided.

The essential aspect is that, in addition to rivet outlet 25, at leastone rivet inlet 25 a be provided, and that the arrangement be designedsuch that a rivet element 1 provided at rivet inlet 25 a can be passedto rivet outlet 25. One rivet tool N can therefore be supplied withrivet elements 1 by a plurality of devices for providing rivets Rwithout the need to provide any type of conveyance switch between thedevices for providing rivets R and rivet tool N.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device for providing rivetsR is equipped with an above-described transfer carriage 28, whereintransfer carriage 28 can be moved into a pass-through position totransfer a rivet element 1 from a rivet inlet 25 a to a rivet outlet 25,thereby enabling a rivet element 1 to be transferred to transfercarriage 28. Of particular significance is the fact that transfercarriage 28 is now used for two purposes, namely to transfer rivetelements 1 from rivet cartridges 26 and to transfer rivet elements 1that have been provided at rivet inlet 25 a.

As shown in the depiction according to FIG. 2, the pass-through position(FIG. 2, right) is different from the transfer position (FIG. 2, left),in which a rivet control unit 2 is oriented toward a rivet cartridge 26to transfer a rivet element 1 from particular rivet cartridge 26 toparticular rivet control unit 2.

A row of pass-through flanges (not depicted) are provided in the regionof the pass-through position, which are disposed in a row with outputflanges 27 of rivet cartridges 26 and substantially do not differgeometrically from output flanges 27. The pass-through flanges are eachconnected via a tube segment to a rivet inlet 25 a, as shown in FIG. 2.When transfer carriage 28 is situated in the pass-through position,input flanges 30 of rivet control units 2 are oriented toward thepass-through flanges, wherein an above-described gap is preferablyprovided here as well between the opposing flanges. For the rest, thetransfer procedure is largely identical to the procedure described abovefor transferring rivet elements 1 to rivet cartridges 26:

If the aim, for instance, is to provide a rivet element 1 from a rivetcartridge 26 of the device for providing rivets R, which is shown on theleft in FIG. 2, rivet element 1 is transferred from desired rivetcartridge 26 to transfer carriage 28 situated there, and is conveyedfurther in the direction of rivet outlet 25 situated there. Via tubeline 20, rivet element 1 reaches a transfer flange of the device forproviding rivets R shown on the right in FIG. 2, passes through the gapthere, and reaches inlet section 3 a of particular rivet control unit 2.There, the above-described transfer procedure is carried out once more,and so rivet element 1 is conveyed further to rivet tool N.

According to a second teaching according to claim 6, which issignificant in and of itself, a system composed of at least two devicesfor providing rivets, which is connected in series in the mannerdescribed above, is claimed. Reference is made to the explanationsprovided above for the device for providing rivets R according to theinvention.

The essential aspect according to the second teaching is the fact thatrivet inlet 25 a or rivet inlets 25 a of a downstream device forproviding rivets R is/are connected to rivet outlet 25 or rivet outlets25 of a further, upstream device for providing rivets R. The term“connected” is to be understood broadly in the sense of any type ofcoupling.

In short, a device for providing rivets R is “downstream” if the rivetinlet 25 a or rivet inlets 25 a thereof are downstream of rivet outlet25 or rivet outlets 25 of an upstream device for providing rivets R. Thedefinition of an “upstream” device for providing rivets R is thereforealso established.

Basically, the system can be designed very generally such that rivetelements 1 are passed through at least one downstream device forproviding rivets R. Furthermore, it is also possible for at least onedownstream device for providing rivets R to simultaneously be anupstream device for providing rivets R, and vice versa.

It is furthermore possible, in the case of large systems in particular,for at least two upstream devices for providing rivets R and/or at leasttwo downstream devices for providing rivets R to exist.

The proposed solution according to the second teaching makes it possibleto connect the devices for providing rivets R in a largely arbitrarymanner. Basically, parallel connections are also possible, in which aplurality of devices for providing rivets R are upstream in respect of asingle device for providing rivets R, wherein the individual device forproviding rivets R is then a downstream device for providing rivets R inthe sense described above.

According to a third teaching, which is also significant in and ofitself, a method for operating an above-described system of at least twodevices for providing rivets R is claimed.

An essential aspect according to the third teaching is the fact that, asdescribed above, a rivet element 1 is transported via a rivet outlet 25of an upstream device for providing rivets R to the rivet inlet 25 a ofa downstream device for providing rivets R and, in the downstream devicefor providing rivets R is passed to rivet outlet 25 a thereof. It ispreferably provided, as described above, that transfer carriage 28 ismoved into a pass-through position for passing through a rivet element 1in downstream device for providing rivets R, and rivet element 1 to bepassed through is transferred to transfer carriage 28. Reference is madehere as well to the embodiments above for further details.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in adevice for providing connection elements such as rivets and the like, itis not intended to be limited to the details shown, since variousmodifications and structural changes may be made without departing inany way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

1. A device for providing connection elements, comprising a connectionelement storage unit providing connection elements via at least oneconnection element outlet for at least one connection elementapplication; at least one connection element inlet; and a further devicefor providing connection elements and configured so that a connectionelement provided at said inlet by said further device is passed throughto said outlet.
 2. A device for providing connection elements as definedin claim 1, wherein said storage unit has at least two stackedcartridges each having at least one output flange for dispensingconnection elements; further comprising a transfer carriage with atleast one connection element control for receiving and furthertransporting the connection elements and moveable along said cartridgesin a stacking direction to orient a connection element control unit ofthe control to the cartridge to transfer the connection element from arespective one of the cartridges to a respective one of the controlunits.
 3. A device for providing connection elements as defined in claim1, wherein said at least two stacked cartridges are replaceable.
 4. Adevice for providing connection elements as defined in claim 2, whereinsaid transfer carriage is moveable into a pass-through position to passthe connection element through from said inlet to said outlet so thatthe connection element is passed through said transfer carriage.
 5. Adevice for providing connection elements as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid pass-through position is different from transfer positions, inwhich the control unit is oriented toward the cartridge to transfer theconnection element from a respective one of said cartridges to arespective one of said control units.
 6. A device for providingconnection elements as defined in claim 2, further comprising at leastone pass-through flange assigned to said at least one inlet, so thatsaid at least one control unit situated in a pass-through position isoriented toward said least one pass-through flange to transfer theconnection elements.
 7. A system comprising at least two devices forproviding connection elements according to claim 1, including adownstream device for providing connection elements and an upstreamdevice for providing connection elements and arranged so that said inletof said downstream device is connected to said outlet of said upstreamdevice.
 8. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said inlets of saiddownstream device are connected with said outlets of said upstreamdevice.
 9. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein the system isconfigured so that the connection elements are passed through by said atleast one downstream device for providing connection elements.
 10. Asystem as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one downstreamdevice for providing connection elements is simultaneously an upstreamdevice for providing connection elements.
 11. A system as defined inclaim 7, wherein the system includes at least two devices for providingconnection elements, selected from the group consisting of at least twoupstream devices for providing connection elements, at least twodownstream devices for providing connection elements, and both.
 12. Amethod for operating the system including at least two devices forproviding connection elements as defined in claim 7, comprising thesteps of transporting a connection element by the outlet of saidupstream device for providing connection elements to said inlet of saiddownstream device for providing connection elements; and passing by theconnection element the downstream device for providing connectionelements through said outlet of said downstream device for providingconnection elements.
 13. A method as defined in claim 12; furthercomprising moving the transfer carriage into a pass-through position forpassing through the connection element in the downstream device forproviding connection elements; and transferring the connection elementto be passed through to the transfer carriage.